Hawai‘i Island police are investigating a Keaʻau traffic collision involving a vehicle and pedestrian that left one man dead.

On Saturday, January 14, Puna patrol officers responded to a single-vehicle traffic collision on Highway 130, near the 3-mile marker, where the vehicle operator reported that something had struck and shattered her windshield.

Hawai‘i County Fire Department (HFD) personnel observed an unresponsive male, appearing to be in his 50s, with severe head and body trauma in the Hilo-bound lane, approximately 300 feet north of where the involved vehicle was parked. 

The victim, whose identity is unknown at this time, pending notification of next of kin, was transported to Hilo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.  An autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

Police investigators determined that a blue Acura sedan was traveling Pāhoa bound in the Number 2 lane on Highway 130 when it struck the pedestrian, who was wearing dark clothing while on foot in the vicinity between the Number 1 and Number 2 lane of the Pāhoa-bound section of the highway. 

The operator of the Acura, a 46-year-old female from Kea‘au, sustained minor injuries from the shattered windshield of her vehicle after the collision. Also in the vehicle were the driver’s three children—a minor and two adult children —who were not injured from the collision.

Police do not believe alcohol, drugs, speed, or inattention were factors in the crash.

The East Hawaiʻi Traffic Enforcement Unit has initiated a coroner’s inquest investigation and will continue their investigation into this traffic collision. Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the collision or who has information about it, to contact Officer Jerome Duarte at (808) 961-2339 or via email at Jerome.Duarte@HawaiiCounty.gov.